Hyperargininemia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of the urea cycle. Deficiency of arginase, the enzyme necessary for the last step of the urea cycle, leads to progressive accumulation of arginine and the development of neurological symptoms after infancy, such as epilepsy, cognitive impairment, and spastic diplegia. In the absence of a timely recognition, the clinical presentation is progressive.
Presentation
Hyperargininemia is considered to be the least common urea cycle disorder (UCD) encountered in clinical practice, with estimated incidence rates of 1 in 350,000-1,000,000 [1]. The pathogenesis stems from mutations in genes coding for the catalytic enzyme arginase that is necessary for the conversion of L-arginine to urea and ornithine [2] [3]. Hyperargininemia, like the majority of UCDs, is transferred through an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance, but the clinical presentation differs from other UCDs in terms of the onset of symptoms and their severity [2] [4]. Namely, patients mainly start to develop first signs after infancy, in the period between ages 2 and 4, while severe hyperammonemia that is typical in other UCDs is often absent [2] [4]. Instead, a slowly progressive appearance of neurological manifestations is seen, starting with irritability, failure to thrive, feeding difficulties, and inability to reach appropriate developmental milestones [4] [5]. In the absence of proper therapy, more severe symptoms and signs are noted in a slowly progressive fashion - seizures (generalized tonic-clonic), progressive spastic diplegia, psychomotor and cognitive decline, as well as growth failure [1] [2] [4] [5]. In a subset of cases, episodes of vomiting and lethargy are observed [4]. Furthermore, liver diseases (cholestasis, liver failure, fibrosis, or even hepatocellular carcinoma) can be recognized in some cases of hyperargininemia [3] [6] [7].
Entire Body System
- Pediatric Disease
Aeglea is developing pegzilarginase, its lead investigational therapy, for the treatment of Arginase 1 Deficiency, which has received both rare pediatric disease and breakthrough therapy designation. [finance.yahoo.com]
- Increased Energy
Acute symptoms may occur during prolonged fasting, periods of increased energy demands (fever, stress, lack of sleep), and after meals high in protein. [medicalhomeportal.org]
Gastrointestinal
- Failure to Thrive
Failure to thrive and dysmorphic features were also seen. Conclusion: Hyperargininemia commonly manifests as regression, failure to thrive, spasticity, seizures with or without microcephaly. [go.gale.com]
Instead, a slowly progressive appearance of neurological manifestations is seen, starting with irritability, failure to thrive, feeding difficulties, and inability to reach appropriate developmental milestones. [symptoma.com]
Main features include failure to thrive, signs of hyperammonemia (anorexia, irritability, tachypnea, lethargy, vomiting), and additional neurologic signs (progressive spastic quadriplegia, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity). [accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com]
Later onset results in milder set of clinical features including vomiting, failure to thrive, irritability, behavioral problems, or psychomotor retardation. Mutations in the ARGININOSUCCINATE LYASE gene cause the disorder. [medvik.cz]
Liver, Gall & Pancreas
- Liver Fibrosis
[…] failure, or liver fibrosis. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Neurologic
- Irritability
Instead, a slowly progressive appearance of neurological manifestations is seen, starting with irritability, failure to thrive, feeding difficulties, and inability to reach appropriate developmental milestones. [symptoma.com]
This rapid increase in ammonia may lead to episodes of irritability, refusal to eat, and vomiting. In some affected individuals, signs and symptoms of argininemia may be less severe, and may not appear until later in life. [wikidoc.org]
Work with lung irritants: Those who work with chemicals, dust, smoke, or other lung irritants are at greater risk of hypercapnia. [medicalnewstoday.com]
Main features include failure to thrive, signs of hyperammonemia (anorexia, irritability, tachypnea, lethargy, vomiting), and additional neurologic signs (progressive spastic quadriplegia, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity). [accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com]
- Hyperactivity
The major symptoms of AD are all progressive and include psychomotor retardation, spastic tetraplegia where the lower limbs are more affected than the upper, hyperactivity, growth failure and seizures. [themedicalbiochemistrypage.org]
Main features include failure to thrive, signs of hyperammonemia (anorexia, irritability, tachypnea, lethargy, vomiting), and additional neurologic signs (progressive spastic quadriplegia, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity). [accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com]
They include: Avoiding foods high in protein or a dislike of meat Loss of appetite Nausea or vomiting Behavior problems, including hyperactivity Mental problems (confusion, delusions, hallucinations, psychosis ) Diagnosis Most newborns in the U.S. are [webmd.com]
Hyperactivity. Behavior problems. Learning delays. Coma. Diagnosis: Genetic testing for argininemia is available. Genetic testing, also called DNA testing, looks for changes in the pair of genes that cause the condition. [medigoo.com]
- Psychomotor Regression
Symptoms are usually noticed in childhood: progressive spastic tetraplegia with predominant involvement of the lower limbs, seizures, ataxia, athetosis, psychomotor regression, hyperactivity, vomiting, hepatomegaly, and growth failure (1,2,5). [journals.lww.com]
- Cerebellar Sign
H/o consanguinity in parents, H/O similar illness in family, if so their clinical features which included problems from birth, age at recognition of symptom, global delay, seizures, spasticity, extrapyramidal signs, cerebellar signs encephalopathy, skeletal [pediatricneurosciences.com]
- Spastic Paralysis
Spastic paralysis is one of the symptoms of hyperargininemia [3]. The administration of muscle relaxants to patients with spastic paralysis is considered unsafe because of its unpredictable effects [8]. [jaclinicalreports.springeropen.com]
Workup
Because of the rather rare occurrence of hyperargininemia in clinical practice, the diagnosis might be difficult to attain without adequate clinical suspicion. For this reason, a thorough clinical investigation comprised of a meticulously obtained patient history and a detailed physical examination is of critical importance. The course and progression of symptoms should be assessed with the parents, whereas signs of upper motor neuron damage (hyperreflexia, spasticity) are hallmarks of hyperargininemia on a neurological exam [4]. Furthermore, ataxia, toe walking, and cognitive impairment may be noted [4]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the endocranium is a useful procedure in the evaluation of patients suffering from hyperargininemia, showing both cerebral and cerebellar atrophy. Microcephaly could be present in some cases. Electroencephalography (EEG) is also an important component of the diagnostic workup [4], but in order to confirm hyperargininemia, biochemical or genetic testing is necessary. The measured activity of arginase will reveal abnormally low values [4] [5].
Skin Test
- Anergy
Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica 64(2): 267-272, 1975 Treatment of lymphopenic auto aggressive disease with a chemically defined diet abstract woman allergy cutaneous anergy diet dysimmuno globulinemia antibody. Journal of Allergy 41(2): 117-118, 1968 [eurekamag.com]
EEG
- Neurophysiologic Abnormalities
Laboratory findings, gait abnormalities, spastic paraparesis, and electroencephalographic and neurophysiological abnormalities remained quite stable over the follow-up. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Results Laboratory findings, gait abnormalities, spastic paraparesis, and electroencephalographic and neurophysiological abnormalities remained quite stable over the follow-up. [moh-it.pure.elsevier.com]
Treatment
In case 2, hyperargininemia was identified through newborn screening and treatment was started when patient was 21 days old. Cholestasis was only identified in the patient's further evaluation and it resolved 2 weeks into treatment. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Urinary orotic acid concentration Red blood cell arginase enzyme activity (measurement) Treatment[edit] The treatment for infants (individuals) with argininemia is the following, including medications:[3] References[edit] ^ Online Mendelian Inheritance [en.wikipedia.org]
European Journal of Human Genetics 6(SUPPL 1): 48, 1998 Diagnosis and treatment of argininemia characteristics of arginase ec 3531 in human erythrocytes and tissues. 1984 Chemically defined diet in the treatment of kwashiorkor. [eurekamag.com]
FDA-Approved Treatments The medication(s) listed below have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as orphan products for treatment of this condition. Learn more orphan products. [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]
Prognosis
The prognosis of Arginase Deficiency Disorder is generally good, so long as the necessary dietary restrictions are adhered to and proper medication is taken before symptom onset There are no preventive measures available for this disorder, as it is caused [dovemed.com]
Causes Differentiating Argininemia from Other Diseases Epidemiology and Demographics Risk Factors Screening Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis Diagnosis Argininemia usually becomes evident by about the age of 3. [wikidoc.org]
Long term prognosis of patients with arginninemia has not been well known, particularly for patients who are diagnosed prior to occurrence of neurological symptoms. [ashg.org]
Etiology
In case 1, diagnosis was established at 2 months of age upon investigation of the etiology of cholestatic injury pattern and hepatosplenomegaly, and treatment was then initiated at when the patient was 3 months old. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Qualifiers English: BL blood CF cerebrospinal fluid CI chemically induced CL classification CO complications DI diagnosis DG diagnostic imaging DH diet therapy DT drug therapy EC economics EM embryology EN enzymology EP epidemiology EH ethnology ET etiology [decs.bvs.br]
Qualificadores Permitidos Inglês: BL blood CF cerebrospinal fluid CI chemically induced CL classification CO complications DI diagnosis DG diagnostic imaging DH diet therapy DT drug therapy EC economics EM embryology EN enzymology EP epidemiology EH ethnology ET etiology [decs.bvsalud.org]
Regarding etiology, NHF is differently classified in the literature, without consensus3,4,6,7. [scielo.br]
Definition / general Herpes simplex (HSV) encephalitis is a severe necrotizing viral infection preferentially involving the medial temporal and frontal lobes of the brain Epidemiology Most commonly identified etiology of nonepidemic viral encephalitis [pathologyoutlines.com]
Epidemiology
Note English: 2000 Allowable Qualifiers English: BL blood CF cerebrospinal fluid CI chemically induced CL classification CO complications DI diagnosis DG diagnostic imaging DH diet therapy DT drug therapy EC economics EM embryology EN enzymology EP epidemiology [decs.bvs.br]
Histórica Inglês: 2000 Qualificadores Permitidos Inglês: BL blood CF cerebrospinal fluid CI chemically induced CL classification CO complications DI diagnosis DG diagnostic imaging DH diet therapy DT drug therapy EC economics EM embryology EN enzymology EP epidemiology [decs.bvsalud.org]
Causes Differentiating Argininemia from Other Diseases Epidemiology and Demographics Risk Factors Screening Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis Diagnosis Argininemia usually becomes evident by about the age of 3. [wikidoc.org]
Retrieved 20 November 2016.update 2014 ^ a b c d "Arginase Deficiency: Background, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology". eMedicine. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016. ^ a b c Reference, Genetics Home. "ARG1 gene". Genetics Home Reference. [en.wikipedia.org]
OR #4 OR #5 OR #6 OR #7 OR #8 OR #9 OR #10 OR #11 OR #12 OR #13 OR #14 OR #15 OR #16 OR #17 OR #18 OR #19 OR #20 OR #21 OR #22 OR #23 OR #24) Q. 1.2 La population ET les erreurs innées du métabolisme OU les maladies spécifiques ET épidémiologie #26 (epidemiolog [yumpu.com]
Pathophysiology
However, the accumulation of L-arginine and the resulting abnormalities in the metabolism of guanidine compounds and nitric oxide have been proposed to play a major pathophysiological role. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
However, the accumulation of l-arginine and the resulting abnormalities in the metabolism of guanidine compounds and nitric oxide have been proposed to play a major pathophysiological role. [scinapse.io]
Prevention
Perioperative nutrition should aim for high carbohydrate intake and low protein intake to prevent arginine load. To prevent a catabolic state, avoid longer fasting periods and/or cover them with dextrose-containing intravenous solutions. [accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com]
In a patient with hyperargininemia, oral administration of sodium benzoate or phenylacetic acid together with an essential amino acid mixture was used to prevent hyperammonemia and to decrease plasma and CSF concentrations of arginine. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
The prognosis of Arginase Deficiency Disorder is generally good, so long as the necessary dietary restrictions are adhered to and proper medication is taken before symptom onset There are no preventive measures available for this disorder, as it is caused [dovemed.com]
References
- Maramattom BV, Raja R, Balagopal A. Late onset arginase deficiency presenting with encephalopathy and midbrain hyperintensity. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2016;19(3):392-394.
- Crombez EA, Cederbaum SD. Hyperargininemia due to liver arginase deficiency. Mol Genet Metab. 2005;84(3):243-251.
- Schlune A, Vom Dahl S, Häussinger D, Ensenauer R, Mayatepek E. Hyperargininemia due to arginase I deficiency: the original patients and their natural history, and a review of the literature. Amino Acids. 2015;47(9):1751-1762.
- Scaglia F, Lee B. Clinical, Biochemical, and Molecular Spectrum of Hyperargininemia Due to Arginase I Deficiency. Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2006;0(2):113-120.
- Hewson S, Clarke JT, Cederbaum S. Prenatal diagnosis for arginase deficiency: a case study. J Inherit Metab Dis. 2003;26:607–610.
- Oldham MS, vanMeter JW, Shattuck KF, Cederbaum SD, Gropman AL. Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Arginase Deficiency Reveals Damage to Corticospinal Tracts. Pediatr Neurol. 2010;42(1):49-52.
- Cederbaum SD, Yu H, Grody WW, Kern RM, Yoo P, Iyer RK. Arginases I and II: do their functions overlap? Mol Genet Metab. 2004;81(Suppl 1):S38–S44.